Holland West Ottawa nearly nabbed an early goal on a slip up just in front of the Redmen goal to start the game. The puck sat just outside the net waiting for a Panther, but Marquette caught some luck as West Ottawa just could not get there in time. The goal was cleared and the period remained scoreless through most of the period.
A slow start and a few penalties for Marquette put the Panthers in a position to take the lead, an opportunity they did not waste. A late goal from Luke Linart of West Ottawa put the Panthers out front at 1-0 going into the second period of action.
The Redmen continued to struggle at the start of the period. Marquette visited the penalty box to go short-handed for the fourth time in the game thus far. Liam Beerman protected the Redmen goal through the Panthers power play, keeping their deficit at just one point. A Marquette power play followed shortly thereafter. The Redmen looked a little more solid, but could not convert on the short-handed Panthers.
West Ottawa struck again in the final minute of play. This time a goal from Owen Houskamp put the Panthers up 2-0 just before the buzzer. The Redmen did improve on scoring in the period, outshooting the Panthers 8-7, but Marquette would have their work cut out for them in the third.
The beginning of the third period caught the Redmen a little flat-footed, but a fire was ignited as Joseph Luke broke the scoring drought. The goal was assisted by Andrew Fedrizzi early to improve the Redmen to 2-1 behind the Panthers. An onslaught of scoring ensued as Fedrizzi followed up with a goal to tie it up. A Jakob Peterson goal nine seconds later, assisted by Ryan Baldwin, gave the Redmen their first lead of the game at 3-2.
Beerman stopped a clutch shot from the Panthers to ensure the 3-2 Redmen victory. After slogging through two periods, the Redmen found their game to make a late comeback and sweep the Michigan Public High School Hockey Showcase.
The Redmen will be back in action on Thursday, February 6th against the Negaunee Miners on Fox Sports Marquette 105.1-99.9. Tune in at 6:30 pm for the pregame show, puck drops at 7:00 pm.
Listen to a recording of the live broadcast.
